Google Messages' new floating menu adds partial text copying and puts key actions within thumb reach.
Google confirmed on October 1 that its redesigned long-press menu in Messages is widely rolled out, including partial text copying.
Instead of icons at the top of the screen, a floating menu now appears right next to the message you pressed.
Long-press a message, long-press again on the text, drag the handles, then pick Copy, Translate or Select All.
It reached stable users on Galaxy phones too. Stable build 20260910_03_RC02 has it; a force stop may switch it on.
It is a small change that closes an old gap with iMessage. Check your Messages app today; it may already be there.
Google Messages Finally Lets You Copy Part of a Text, and the Menu Moved Closer to Your Thumb